By Lukman Olabiyi

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will, today, arraign a Federal High Court Judge, Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia and Godwin Obla (SAN), before the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja.
They will be docked before Justice Hakeem Oshodi on a 30-count charge by  the EFCC.
In the 30-count charge, with number LD/367/C/16, Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia is listed as first defendant while  Obla is named as second defendant.
The charge borders on issuance of false statement, offering of gratification and perversion of course of justice.
The commission has listed six banks as witnesses in the trial.  The defendants are said to have committed the offence on May 21, 2015, by conspiring to pervert the course of justice with the sum of N5 million.
The said money was alleged to have been transferred to one Nigel & Colive Ltd, in relation to a charge number FHC/L/C/482/10.
Ofili-Ajumogobia is said to be sole signatory to the accounts of Nigel & Colive Ltd. Both defendants were said to have conspired to pervert the course of justice in contravention of the provisions of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011. In counts one to four, Obla was said to have offered gratification in the said sum, by transferring the money from his company’s account Obla & Co., domiciled with the United Bank for Africa, to Nigel & Colive.
The said transfer was alleged to have been made in order to restrain a public officer from acting in exercise of her official duties.
In counts five, Ajumogobia was said to have unlawfully enriched herself by receiving a transfer or the sum of N18 million from one Arkleem Oil and Gas Ltd, to her Diamond bank account.
In counts six to 20, the Judge was alleged to have also received a transfer of monies from various outlets to her Diamond bank account to the tune of over 788,000 dollars.
In counts 29, the judge was alleged to have forged a deed of assignment between a company, County City Bricks Dev. Co. Ltd and Nigel & Colive Ltd.
In counts 30, the judge was also alleged to have made a false statement to the EFCC, that she was on admission at one Gold Cross hospital located at Bourdillon, Ikoyi, which statement was found to be false.
All offences are said to be contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011 as well as the EFCC (establishment) Act, 2004.